posted on October 1, 1999 07:37:43 AM new
In the topic "AU Down" Pat said if you couldn't get in through AU to go through one of the AU affiliates - now I am curious, I have never heard about AU's affiliates.
Pat would you please explain; is this "affiliate" relationship a system which works like the new Microsoft System, in that an item posted on AU is also available for bidding on any of the affiliates? If not, please explain what the affiliates are and what the purpose of them are.
posted on October 2, 1999 08:37:54 AM new
Yes, Amazon's "shops" with the alternative (it is a choice on Amazon as to whether you use their credit cards, etc.) is much like BidSafe - I mentioned that to someone on Amazon.
If you review the shops that are currently open you will notice that a predominance of them are NOT using the credit card program...in some areas you see more than others, but across the board, sellers are using the shops to do direct or (First Bid) sales and not involving themselves with the Credit Card program. AND, Pat, there is no charge for this service.....that is membership fee.
But we decided to leave this subject alone -
Personally, what I think the shops will be is a dumping ground for larger merchants with inventory over stock - and a then the small dealers who want/need credit card usage. Of course as cheap as it is, it is merely good advertising for a web site too.
